Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)

Psy.D. Program Philosophy and Mission

Based on the scholar-practitioner model, the Psy.D. program trains doctoral-level clinical psychologists to practice in a wide range of settings through intensive course work and supervised experience. Our comprehensive generalist training model provides students with a broad foundation of knowledge and skills in assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of psychological disorders, as well as in research. Integration of clinical and research skills prepares students for a practice which incorporates research and is responsive to research findings.

Scholar-Practitioner Model

The goal of the Psy.D. program training model is to promote an integration of research and practice. The aim is to teach students to become practitioners who are skilled in critically evaluating and applying research findings to inform their clinical practice. This includes both the incorporation of new evidence into practice as well as active involvement in clinical research activities such as program development and evaluation and analysis of case studies.

Generalist Training

Our goal is to prepare clinical psychologists for evidence-based practice in a wide range of professional settings and in a rapidly changing scientific and human services environment. A clinical generalist program provides students with a broad and flexible foundation of clinical and research skills. Generalist training allows for opportunities to gain experience working with clients across the lifespan, with families, and also with clients from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. The Psy.D. Program serves the needs of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador generally, and training includes a focus on issues related to meeting the mental health needs of individuals and groups from diverse cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds in both rural and urban communities. Exposure to a variety of evidence-based theoretical approaches is emphasized and students are exposed to a number of theoretical perspectives, including cognitive- behavioral, interpersonal, psychodynamic, developmental, and family systems.

Accreditation

Our Psy.D. program is based on the Canadian Psychological Association’s (CPA’s) model Psy.D. curriculum. We adhere to all standards, guidelines and policies of CPA.

The program submitted its application for CPA accreditation in May 2017 and has been authorized for a CPA accreditation site visit in October 2017.

Professional registration

All core clinical faculty members are Registered Psychologists in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, or are in application for registration in NL. Newfoundland and Labrador Psychology Board (NLPB) regulates the practice of psychology for the safety of the public. Our Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology adheres to the NLPB’s Code of Conduct.

Program Information

Program Goals

Our goal is to train scholar-practitioner psychologists who offer evidence-based services to individuals, families, and groups. Our students are also trained to contribute to the scientific knowledge base in clinical psychology through the completion of a doctoral dissertation. For more information about our doctoral dissertation requirements, please see our Psy.D. Dissertation Guide (pdf). All of our students receive core training in psychological assessment, diagnosis, intervention and prevention, psychopathology, ethics and professional issues, cultural diversity, research methods and evaluation, supervision, and consultation. In addition, all of our students become aware of the unique strengths and challenges that may arise from different cultural contexts, including cultural beliefs and values, sexual orientation, gender, socioeconomic status, and level of ability.

Timeline

The Psy.D. Program is designed to be completed in 4 years. This includes 3 years full-time of coursework and practica plus a year-long full-time internship/residency at a CPA- or APA-accredited site (or equivalent). In addition, all students are required to complete and defend a doctoral dissertation within 4 years.

We strive to accommodate family factors, such as parental leaves, and health issues. At the same time, we recognize the need for students to graduate in a timely manner and we have therefore streamlined our program to shorten its duration while maintaining quality.

Practicum Training

As part of clinical training, graduate students participate in 1080 hours of supervised practicum experience. During practicum placements, students provide professional psychological services for individuals in the community, including assessments and therapeutic interventions for children, adults, and families under the supervision of a registered clinical psychologist. Practica may take place at various hospitals and mental health clinics, at the MUN Student Wellness and Counselling Centre (SWCC), at schools and in private psychology clinics.

Core Faculty

Admission Requirements and Application Process

Students will only be admitted to the program on a full-time basis. Applicants are required to have an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Psychology including an honours thesis. Students who have also completed a Master’s degree in psychology are preferred.

The Admissions Committee will review applications based on:

(a) background, interests, research, work and volunteer experience

(b) competitiveness of transcripts

(c) Graduate Record Examination scores (the verbal, quantitative& analytic sections of the General test are required; PsychologyGRE score is not required)

(d) a personal statement of interest and writing sample

(e) a personal interview

(f) match with a faculty dissertation supervisor

(g) three letters of reference

Prerequisite Courses

Students are expected to have successfully completed undergraduate courses in each of the following areas:

Note: Students with Master's or Doctoral level degrees who wish to be considered for admission to the program must have completed an undergraduate Honours Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and have fulfilled the undergraduate course requirements described above.

one letter of recommendation must specifically address the suitability of the applicant for clinical work

a personal statement (maximum 500 words) describing the applicant's interests in clinical psychology and career goals

a writing sample

resume

Admissions Process

Admission to the program is competitive. Applicants are ranked by the Admissions Committee according to academic transcripts, personal and interpersonal competence, work experience, research experience, extra-curricular activities, including volunteer work, and letters of recommendation are also taken into consideration. The Admissions Committee compiles a short-list of applicants based on these rankings.

Short-listed applicants are interviewed by at least two members of the Admissions Committee, either in person or via videoconference. As part of the interview, applicants are asked to indicate their preferences concerning potential research supervisors. Potential research supervisors then determine whether applicants who are acceptable to the Psy.D. Admissions Committee and interested in working with them are suitable by reviewing the application and further interviewing the student. A student will not be accepted if a research supervisor is not identified.

Recommendations concerning admissions are made to the Graduate Studies Committee of the Psychology Department.

Deadline for applications

The deadline for receipt of applications and all supporting documents is January 5. Applicants will be normally notified of admission decisions by April 15th.

Number of students accepted

Typically, we receive over 50 applications per year. From these, a maximum of six students are accepted each year. This number is based on availability of practicum placements and university resources such as faculty available for supervision, space, and funding.